This article seems weak - it is extremely disappointing that it was written by a research assistant and a 'professor'.
This line here 'Eastern societies created institutions primarily aimed at defence rather than economic development, even over the following centuries when the threat had long disappeared' - someone who know history of Eastern countries will be aware that those countries where constantly attacked by Western ones - Germany-Poland wars lasted between 1000-1400. Poland was under relative peace in the 16th century when it gained wealth ( according to some statistics, Polish Kingdom was the biggest importer of luxurious cloths at that time, and as we know today if basic needs are satisfied people turn into consumption). Then in the 17th century Poland was attacked by Swedes, Germans, Russians which started the dawn of the country which ended in the end of the 18th century by splitting Poland between Russia, Germany and Austro-Hungary. Then when Poland re-gained independency in the 20th century it stared building an army, economy was raising, then WWII happened during which Poland was completely destroyed and until today it did not receive any compensation from Germany, obviously after WWII Communist Russia ruled in Poland which didn't help the economy. Since 1989 Poland is developing again, nobody is attacking the country and it is developing again. I'd like to know taking into account the above citation when did the threat had long disappeare? Obviously taking into consideration the dates which the article mentions, not know, as there are no wars ATM.
From my own experience Polish people are not EU sceptic, and the ruling party is not sceptic at all. The problem has far more deeper roots and is related to transformation process in which post-communist stayed in power even though the Communism collapsed. But this requires another article by people who know more than me.